Concrete form construction apparatus



Aug. 15 1933. p A JONES 1,920,645

CONCRETE FORM CONSTRUCTION APPARATUS Filed March 4, 1930 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR.

BY awa. ma Qewew ATTORNEYS Aug. 1, 1933. P. A. JONES CONCRETE FORM CONSTRUCTION APPARATUS Filed March 4, 1930 2 SheelS-Sheell 2 I N VEN TOR.

A TTQRNEYS Patented Aug. 1, 1933 A Unirse srArEs PATENT kreise CONCRETE FORM CONSTRUCTION APPARATUS Y Paul A. Jones, Cincinnati, Ohio Application March 4, 1930. Serial'No. 433,034

13 Claims; (Cl. 140-117) My invention is an improvement upon that ofv which are either made on the job from suitableY studding and suitable sheathing or are inthe form` of standard sections adapted to be assembled on the job, are put up in opposed relationship so as to leave `a space between for the pouring of the concrete, the opposedY sections forming a mold. These sections are commonly held apart by blocks which gauge the spacingto the desired thickness of the wall or other structure, and are held together, i. e. from spreading, usually by -wire ties although other ties have beenused. As the concrete is poured, the spreader blocks are knocked out and removed; and `after the concrete has set and the forms have been removed-the wire ties or other tie members are left in the concrete but the projecting ends thereof are cut off.

The usual practice presents a number of serious disadvantages. Where the forms are constructed on the job by nailing, the lumber is rendered unfit for most other uses and represents a considerable item of cost. Where form sections are used, the general practice has been to nail them together. This splits the wood and injures the sections thereby very greatly decreasing their life. remove the spreader blocks during the pouring; and where these are left in the walls, leaks de-V velop within a very short time. The wire ties or flat steel bands` hitherto used have for the most part been securedl by twisting-or by nails or by wedges. These expedients also tend to injure the form Work, and wires frequently stretch causing therwall or other structure to become irregular and thicker than originally intended.,

The general objects of my invention are to provide a novel assembled `forrn structure for concrete Work, to provide means for fastening standard form sections together where these are used, which will notA injure the forms, to provide a combination tie and spreader which eliminates the use of* spreader blocks, to provide means for clamping the ends of my ties and spreaders whereby my forms or form sections may be held together against great strain, andin general to `provide ya form work in which the life of the componentA Vparts is indefinitely' prolonged and The workmen very frequently forget to.

which maybe assembled and disassembled easily and cheaply. In this connection, I make use `of a clamping tooll which when closed and locked not only holds adjacent form sections together but also. holds and clamps myfcombination tie and spreader. This toolis the `invention set forth and claimed in my Patent No.. 1,794,904 l hereinabove Areferred to. v

These and other objects of my invention which' will be set forth hereinafter or willbe apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading these'specincations, I accomplish by thatVr certain construcv tion and arrangement of parts of which I shall now describe a preferred embodiment, reference being had to the drawings which accompany these specifications.

In the drawings; y v Figure l is a horizontal section of ay portion of concrete form work showing adjacent sections held together by my clamps and one of myfcombination tie and spreader in position. i Figure 2 showsthe operationv of a fastening device for my tie and spreader. Y

Figure 3 is a horizontal section through form- Work at a corner thereof.

Figure 4 is a broken perspective of the form work of Figure 3. v

Figure 5 is a section through one form of my spreader andtie.

Figure 6 shows the spreader' and tie itself in perspective. i

Figure 7 is a section lthrough an alternative and preferred form thereof. i

Figure 8 is an end view of my clamp. Figures 9 and 10 are broken elevations of my clamp in its preferredL form showing-the operation thereof. Y

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the fastening device for myy tie and spreader shown inusein Figure 2. i e f I will describe my invention in connection with form'secti'ons for concrete work, it being understood that it is applicable as well to built up forms and to other types of sectional' forms.`

` The sectional form which I have chosen as illuscial purposes such as for useV at corners, jform" sections of different dimensions'or shapes may .1'101 be provided. The standard formV section is, say,

lso

means thereon.

upon the type of work being done.

corners. Such a section is shown at 6 in Figure Il. Guter corner members 7 in Figure 3 and inner corner members 8 may be employed. These do not need special` description; they will be clear from the drawings. It will be noted however that in my preferred construction, adjacent sections, whether of standard form or of some special form, are so made and so arranged in constructing the form work that corresponding side struts 1, l', etc. come together. In ordinary construction, as hereinabove indicated, it has been the practice to fasten these together with nails, which is injurious. I provide clamps for the purpose which do not injure the forms and which enable them to be used over and over again a large number of times. These clamps in Figures 1 and 3, I have shown in use and have indicatedV broadly bythe numeral 9. Clamps of this character have been covered by claims in my copending application hereinabove referred to. They have opposed jaws adapted to grip juxtaposed 2x4s and hold them together. In Figures 9 and 10, the lower jaw is l0, and is attached to a sheet metal body l1 of generally U-shaped cross section. The

upperv jaw 12 has a preferably integral extension 13 attached thereto at right angles. upper part of the body of the clamp is cut away as at la to permit the extension 13 to slide therein and in order to denne a space for this sliding movement, a member 15 is fastened within the casing or body. For convenience in operation, a thumb restv 16 may be attached thereto. An operating handle 1'7 is provided, connected by links 18 to the upper jaw. It would be sunicient to pivot the clamp end of this operating lever in the body of the clamp but I prefer to provide an adjustable pivot mechanism to allow for differences in the widths of members to be clamped, andto this end I pivot' a pawl member 19 to my operating lever. rIhis pawl has a series of teeth 20 at intervals, any of which may be brought into engagement with a post 2l extending across the body of the clamp as will be understood. The pawl has an operating portion Y 22 to be engaged by the thumbV or lingers of a person operating the clamp. The operating handle 1'7 is of general U-shape and is hollow within so that the pawl may be pivoted between two extensions 17a formed by cutting the top of the operating handle away as at 23, and it is convenient to permit the post 24 upon which the .pawl' is pivoted to extend beyond the portion 17a. of the operating handle and ride in slots 25 in the body of the clamp. The post 26 Aby which the links 18 are pivoted to the operating lever extends alsoV between the portion 17a and serves as an abutment to prevent the pawl 19 from falling down out of an easily accessible position. `'Ihis is clearly shown in Figure 9. The operationy of my clamp will be clear from the several views. j

Mycombined spreader and tie has preferably such a construction that that portion of it 'which extendsbetween opposed form sections has suflicient stiffness to serve as a satisfactory spreader. This implies the provision of positive spacing In order that thedevice may also serve as a tie, extensions are provided which may be Vpassed through holes in the form work or between adjacent form sections, there to be caught and held in some manner, a preferable -manner being hereinafter described. My pre- The of concrete in the forms.

ferred form of tie is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 with a modification in Figure k5.. The simplest form comprises a piece of sheet metal Wider in the center than at the ends and bent up vinto substantially a channel form in the body portion 27. A sectional view through. the body is shown in Figure 7. The exact configuration is not important. The bent up side members 23 forming the channel give the requisite stiffness and at the ends of these members I bend over ears 29 which serve as positive stops to permit my device to serve its spacing function. `The metal of the spacer and tie is prolonged at the ends of the body portion into tongues 30 for the purpose described. `In an alternative form a second section (Figure 5) of generally channel shape'and indicated broadly by the numeral 31, is attached to the rst section by means of rivets 32, spot welding or the like. Tongues'33 may also be bent up at the ends of section 3l. Ordinarily the more complexstructure of Figure 5 is not necessary and represents a more expensive type. It will be understood that my combined spreaders and ties will be manufactured in a series of standard sizes for standard form work. Where 1 they extend diagonally across the forms as at 34 in Figure 3, they will be of somewhat greater length than extend .directly across thevforms as atr 35 in Figure 1. For different ythicknesses of walls, different size spreaders and ties will be used. It will be seen in Figures 1, 3 and 4 how the tongues 300i' the spreaders extend through the. form work between adjacent struts 1V and l of abutting form sections. y If the forms be nailed together, it is possible also to bend over the tongues 3) and to nail them; but inasmuch as my preferred form work is intended for use without nails, consequent expense and consequent damage to the forms, I make provision in my clamps for means not only to catch and hold butralso vto tension the spreaders and ties. It will be seen in Figures 9 and 10 that the body portion y11 of the clamps is slotted' as at 36. Where the tongues 30 extend between adjacent struts to be held together by my clamps, the 1 tongues .are inserted into the clamps Athrough the slots 36 as the clamps are placed in position. Bringing down the operating lever 1"?v pulls'with it the jaw l2 and its extension 13.V This extension is notched out as at 37, and in its descent` 1 it strikes and then bends-over the tongues 30 of my spreader and ties.l This is shown in dotted lines at 38 in Figure land it will be clear that the function of'my clamps is not only tojhold together adjacent form sections but also to hold 1 and to tension the tongues of my spreaders and ties. It will also Ybe understood how the body portion 27 of my spreader holds the forms apart a desired and'predetermined*distance while the tensioning. of the' tongues holds the forms in l opposed relationship against the pressure of the wet' concrete poured between them. K Ihave found Y y that the strength and tensioning factor of myv` spreaders and ties is far greater than the pressure Since it is the usual practice-to place spreaders not only at the sides of form sections between the struts, but also at intervals in the centers thereof adjacent the struts 2, I provide an additional fastening device for tensioning the spreaders along these struts, where as will be obvious my clamps 9 are not used. It would be possible to use such clamps by placing a section of 2x4 along the side of strut 2 but this is uneconomical where a simpler fastening device may be used. Suche-- a device is indicated in Figure 11 and comprises a substantially U-shaped body of heavy sheet metal 39 slotted `as at 40 for the'passage of the tongue 30.2` An operating'lever'fll is pivoted as,

at 42 `to one corner of one of the legs of the body 39. One 'edge' of the lever "is rounded off as at 43 for a purpose hereinafter to'be described., At the other corner of the leg 39', a portionof the metal is bent over to forma holding strap 44 as will be clearly understood from Figure. l1 and the vportion 45 of the metalV lying between this strap and thepivot 42 is bent outwardlyfa little and may be providedwithserrations or teeth the better, to hold the tongue 30. As is shown in Figure 2, adjacent the strut 2, the form work is Vperforated as at 46 for the passage of the tongue 30 which is carried through a slot 40Y and then is bent over on the outside thereof.- It will be understood from this gure also how lthe body portion 39 engages the strut 2. After the tongue-30 is bent over (while the lever 41 is in the position shown in Figure l1) this lever` is then swung around to the position shown in that iigure in dotted lines. The rounded portion 43 assists the lever to ride over the bent portion of the tongue 30, `and in closed position, the lever is held tightly against the leg 39 by the strap 44, while the bent over portion of the tongue 30 is tightly gripped between the lever itself and the toothed portion v45 of the clamp. The holding device of Figure vention without departing from the spirit thereof. g

Having thus described my invention, what I 46 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

l. A clamprfor concrete forms comprising combination'a body, a pair of jaws and an operating handle having a pivot, one of said jaws fixed to said body, the other of -saidjaws having means whereby it is slidable in said body so` as to be moved toward or away from the other jaw, a link operatively connecting said slidable jaw with said operating handle, and adjustable means for mounting the pivot of said operating handle on said body at different effective points.

2. A clamp for concrete forms comprising in combination a body, a pair of jaws and an operating handle, one of said jaws fixed to said body, the other of said jaws having means whereby it is slidable in said body so as to be moved toward or away from the other jaw, a link operatively connecting said slidable jaw with said operating handle, and adjustable means for pivoting said operating handle on said body at different effective points, said body having an aperture to admit the end of a tie, said sliding jaw having means to contact and bend said tie end as it is moved whereby said clamp may be caused to l fasten said tie.

an abutment withinV said hollow body portion,`

a movable trigger member pivoted to said operating handle and having a plurality of engagement surfaces for said abutment and a link conl,necting said movable jaw withsaid operating handle.

4. In a clamp for concrete forms, a hollow body member,- a pair of jaws `and an operating handle, one of said jaws fixed to said bodygthe other of said jaws havinganiextension` slidable in said kbody whereby said jaw may be moved, an abutment within saidhollow body portion, a movable trigger member pivoted to said operating handleand havinga plurality of engagement. surfaces for `said. abutment Vand. a` link connecting'said movable jaw with 'said operating handle, said body member havinga perforation to. admit the end of a tie, the extensionk of said -movable jaw vbeing arranged when said jaw is moved to contact and bendsaid tiefend thereby and fasteningit. i. l f

5. In a clamp, a body portion of sheetmetal` comprisingA a back and opposedffinterspaced sides, a pair of jaws vand an operating handle, one of said jaws fixed in said body portion so as to extend beyond the back thereof, the other of 'said jaws having an extension slidableb'etween said opposed side members of said body, said operating handle having a pivot member extending through a slot in said opposed sides, a movable trigger mounted on said pivot member, an abutment member extending between said sides and a plurality of engagement surfaces on said trigger whereby the effective` position. of said pivot member with respect .to said body may be varied, and a link connecting said operating handle ata point interspaced from-said pivot member with said movable jaw; Y

6. In a clamp, a body portion of sheet metal comprising a back andV opposed interspaced sides, a pair of jaws and an operating handle, oneof saidjaws fixedv in said body'portion so as to extend beyond the back thereof, the other of said jaws'` having an extension slidable'between said opposed side members of said body,.-

said operating handle having a pivot member member having a perforationto admit the end V of a tie,v the extension of said movable jaw being arranged when said jaw is moved to contact and bend said tie end thereby fastening it.

'7. Arfastening device for concrete form work comprising a substantially U-shaped member adapted to embrace a structural element anda tie member extending there-across, the said U- shaped member perforatedV adjacent the base thereof for the passage of said tie member, and means to fasten said tie member on said U- shaped member.

8. A fastening device v for concrete form work comprising a substantially U-shaped member adapted to embrace a structural element anda tie member: extending there-across, the said U- shaped member perforated adjacent the base thereof for the passage of said tie member, and n means to fasten said tie member on said U- shaped member, said means comprising a` lever pivoted on a -leg of said U-shaped member and I adapted to contact said tie member kwhen bent over thereagainst, and an extension on lsaid leg adapted to engage and` hold said lever when in closed position.

9. lA concrete form construction clamp `com- 15() v prising a frame, jaws on said frame, one movable and the other adjustable to different xed positions on said frame', a lever to move the jaws,v and a fulcrum for said lever, adjustable on said frame, and means moved by'the lever to'olampY and means moved in unison with jaw to clamp atie. f n

12. A U-shaped frame to straddlean abutment, having a slot in one side to receivea tie from alongside the abutment outwardly therethrough, and a lever fulcrumed on said side to swing past said slotY and bend the tie reversely around an edge'of the slot. v

13. vA clamp comprising a frame witha xed jaw and a movable jaw thereon and having a slot between the jaws to receive a tie therethrough when the jaws straddle and clamp an abutment, the movable jaw having a partY to slide past said slot and bend the tie over an edge of the slot when the jaws clamp the abutment, and means for moving said movable jaw.

said movabie PAUL A. JoNEs,fn 

